Modern Vespa

Got a full day of work tomorrow and my bike is scheduled for a late evening delivery. Hoping I get in some ride time before I'm forced in due to night time restrictions on my learners permit .

Can't believe that by this time tomorrow I'll finally know what it's like to ride an MP3 500. Hopefully I don't attract too many paparazzi

Edit: Hope I don't crash it either...heh...

I hope you dont crash it either. But you didn't get to test ride before you bought?

I was offered the opportunity. But I've only got experience on a 250CC scoot and very little at that. Not to mention I was in the middle of Atlanta. So that would be a limited experience driver, in a big unfamiliar city. At home I can easily get to a huge church parking lot that's just perfect for someone getting the feel for a bike.

I just fell in love with the MP3 and never planned to get a scooter before it. I learned about it while browsing the Vespa site since my GF was so interested in getting a smaller scooter. Learned more about it here. And, I knew I had to have one the moment I sat down and found out how well it fit me. I'm famous among friends for my impulse purchases. But I feel really good about this one.

I tried it first on a demo, bought, got a lecture on what not to do and then did it anyway. Hope you profit from my experience.

You can easily release the parking brake, pull bike back out (left hand on brake, push luggage area bar) and hop on an leave. BUT, be sure to remember it is wide and if you don't clear the curb and start with wheels locked it takes an instant to release and if you hit the curb with one wheel before release it will throw the bike the other way.

Be sure to release the parking brake. If you hit the throttle without doing so the engine will rev, the wheel lock will go off and the bike fall over. (Parking brake light is not always visible if wearing a full face helmet.)

Slow turns -- ride the rear brake and keep some throttle on (or the bike goes into neutral).

All of the above I can vouch for after 3 days of ownership. It is the BEST RIDE in the world. Parking and starting are VERY different.

Good luck and ride safe,
Jerry